Protests in Libya

Opposition activists are increasing the pressure on Muammar Gaddafi's ailing regime, shutting down oil exports and mobilising rebel groups in the west of the country as the revolution rapidly spreads.

Gaddafi's hold on power appears confined to parts of Tripoli and perhaps several regions in the centre of the country. Towns to the west of the capital have fallen and all of eastern Libya is firmly in opposition hands.

In Benghazi, the country's second city, basic order is returning to the streets after days of fierce fighting that resulted in the military defecting en masse. Virtually all government buildings were looted and wrecked.

There are long lines outside closed banks as people try to resume normal life. Cars have returned to city streets but almost all shops remain closed and the internet is blocked.

• Watch dramatic Libya video with commentary by Martin Chulov
• Follow live reaction to Gadaffi's latest statement
• David Cameron apologises for delay in evacuating Britons

Benghazi is now being run by a makeshift organising committee of judges, lawyers and other professionals who have sent out young people to direct traffic and restore basic order.

One high court lawyer, Amal Bagaigis, said: "We started just as lawyers looking for our rights and now we are revolutionaries, and we don't know how to manage. We want to have our own face. For 42 years we lived with this kind of barbarianism. We now want to live by ourselves."

The town of Misrata, about halfway between Benghazi and Tripoli, is reported to have fallen after days of violence. A resident, Abdul Basit Imzivig, told the Guardian that regime forces had fled overnight and the city was in opposition hands.

All southern oilfields are in rebel control. Moustafa Raba'a, a mechanical engineer with the Sirte oil company, said pressure had been put on field and refinery managers to stop work and protect all foreign nationals working with them.

"The order was put out to send a message to Gaddafi to stop the slaying of our people in Benghazi. We made a decision to deny him the privilege of exporting oil and gas to Europe."

He said the blockade had prevented 80,000 barrels a day being exported from the Dregga field alone.

Opposition to Gaddafi appears to have reached a critical mass, with his influence confined to parts of the capital and steadily shrinking. Tripoli remains in lockdown and there are reports of snipers.

Irish-trained surgeon Heitham Gheriani, who was one of the revolution's organisers in Benghazi, said: "Now the people realise the power they have. They started this protest peacefully and then the youths joined them. And when Gaddafi started killing them they rose up. But we honestly didn't think it would happen so quickly."

A Turkish ferry has docked in Benghazi to evacuate a small number of Turkish nationals, and a British warship remains off the coast waiting for permission to approach Libyan shores. A second ship, the HMS York, has been stationed in Malta to help with the rescue effort.

Tens of thousands of Egyptians are continuing to pour towards their home border along with a convoy of other foreign workers.

Elsewhere in Libya forces loyal to Gaddafi are reported to have launched a counter-attack on anti-government militias controlling Misrata, 125 miles (200km) east of Tripoli. Several people were killed in fighting near the city's airport.

Lawyers and judges have said they control the city in an internet statement. With help from "honest" military officers they had removed agents of the "oppressive regime" in Misrata, the statement said.

Another western town, Zuara, is reported to have fallen to opposition forces as the tide of rebellion advanced closer to Tripoli.

Violence reached the town of Az-Zawiyah, 30 miles west of Tripoli. Al-Arabiya television said Gaddafi would address residents of the town.

with britain and the us being the mostpowerful countries which practically control it.

oh by the way protests have also been taking place in jordan to overthrow the royal family of whom queen rania a un endorsed ambassador for corruption is a member of.

Looks like it's going crazy out there

• Gaddafi blames Libyan protests on Bin Laden
• Leader's hold on power confined mainly to Tripoli
• Rebels shutting down oil exports as revolution spreads
• Flights, navy and SAS rescuing Britons
• Nato 'will not intervene'
• Yemen: Protests in all major cities

Source:Guardian

You're clearly misguided and won't listen to rational thought as you've totally ignored the evidence I've presented to contest your points. No point continuing this discussion.

BBC are saying the SAS haven't been deployed but are on standby along with the parachute regiment to go in and get anyone left

the bbc lol

BBC are saying the SAS haven't been deployed but are on standby along with the parachute regiment to go in and get anyone left

Just some advice for you.

here is the dictator meeting with the western hypocrits known as the us and uk government.

In the eastern city of Benghazi, residents have been queuing to be issued with guns looted from the army and police in order to join what they are calling the battle for Tripo

I think we are heading for civil war. As soon as Gadafi is gone the UN shouldsend in peace keepers and help keep the country stable

Look back at my last post. You still need the advice. Every reply from you has nothing to do with my posts.

Peace keepers happen to evoke the opposite

Something has to be done. We cannot just sit back and watch a civil war.

Something has to be done. We cannot just sit back and watch a civil war.

Something has to be done. We cannot just sit back and watch a civil war.

I don't think there will be a civil war, but I do think, if he has chemical weapons near the end: He'll use them.